2. Patterns of Evidence: Exodus – Facing the Facts

Is the Bible’s account of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt a myth?

Or are most archaeologists wrong when they say there is no evidence of an Egyptian sojourn and Exodus?

A recent documentary boldly confronts the general consensus of opinion among archaeologists, Egyptologists, and scholars that the Exodus as described in the Bible never happened. Most say if it did happen, then it occurred around 1250 BC under Ramses II (aka Ramses the Great), but they say there’s absolutely no archaeological evidence for it then.

This outstanding documentary, Patterns of Evidence: Exodus, presents abundant evidence to dispute this consensus of opinion. This film from Thinking Man Films chronicles 12 years of in-depth archaeological research in Egypt and Israel by author and filmmaker Timothy Mahoney. He interviews over a dozen archaeologists and professors with expertise in Egyptian and Israeli archaeology on both sides of the Exodus issue: those who believe it did not happen and those who believe it did.

This article continues the review of Patterns of Evidence: Exodus that was begun in the prequel 1. Patterns of Evidence: Exodus – Did It Happen? This second article looks at some of the film’s interesting archaeological evidence corroborating the Biblical accounts.

Here’s the 3’41” trailer for the movie:

The Patterns of Evidence: Exodus documentary asks the fundamental question:At any time during Egyptian history is there any physical evidence that the Exodus actually happened?

Mahoney organized his research into this question by six major events which he believed should have left some physical evidence that could be found by archaeologists:1.Arrival of Joseph & Jacob’s family in Egypt2.Multiplication of Hebrews into a nation in Egypt3. Hebrew Enslavement in Egypt4.Ten Plagues on Egypt5.Exodus from Egypt6.Conquest of Canaan by the Israelites

Mahoney presented multiple fascinating and convincing archaeological evidences for each of these events. They form a pattern in Egyptian history that matches the Biblical accounts in Genesis, Exodus and Joshua. But the pattern occurs hundreds of years before mainstream archaeologists think it should – much earlier in Egyptian history than 1250 BC.

These archaeologists discounted Mahoney’s evidence, because it did not fit their preconceived timeline. The movie argues that the reason archaeologists haven’t found any evidence is that they are looking in the wrong time period. Patterns of Evidence: Exodus builds a strong case that the Exodus actually happened around 1450 BC, just as the Bible’s timeline indicates.

Presumed Statue of Joseph Wearing multi-colored robe at Avaris

Evidence

In the ancient Egyptian city of Avaris (later renamed Ramses), excavation has uncovered what is thought to be Joseph’s palace and tomb with a twice-life-size statue of a Semite wearing a multi-colored robe. The tomb is empty — no bones! This matches the Biblical report that Moses honored Joseph’s dying request to take his bones back to the Promised Land when the Israelites left Egypt (Genesis 50:24-26; Exodus 13:19). Grave robbers take treasures from tombs but not old bones.

Was there ever a period of time in Egyptian history when an enormous transfer of wealth, land, and power from the Egyptian people to Pharaoh occurred? Archaeologists have found it as Bryant Wood reports at right, and the Bible records it happening as a result of Joseph’s famine policy:Now there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. And Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the grain which they bought, and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone.” Then Joseph said, “Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone.” So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys; and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year. And when that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent, and the cattle are my lord’s. There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our lands. “Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we and our land will be slaves to Pharaoh. So give us seed, that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate.” So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharaoh’s. (Genesis 47:13-20)

The Brooklyn Papyrus is from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (hundreds of years before Ramses II, aka Ramses the Great). This document lists names of slaves, 70% of whom are Semitic with many straight out of the Bible.

There’s even evidence of the Plagues. In the Leiden Museum a papyrus titled Admonitions of an Egyptian Sage describes many of the plagues from the point of view of Ipuwer, an Egyptian eyewitness. When interviewed in the movie, museum curator Maarten Raven dismissed the papyrus as being too early to be a record of the Exodus plagues.

Three major excavations of Jericho match the Bible’s report. The 10-foot-thick wall surrounding the city fell down except for a small section on the north side which remained standing. This was probably Rahab’s house on the wall.
(Joshua 2:1-21; 6:17, 22-25)

The Berlin Pedestal inscription written by the son of Ramses the Great supports an early Conquest of Canaan. It has Israel already in Canaan 100 years before Pharaoh Ramses.

The documentary fascinates the viewer with ample additional evidence supporting each of the six major events listed above.

The totality of the evidence Mahoney marshals is weighty and impressive. In overview, he effectively presents archaeological indications and evidence of Joseph in Egypt and of a Semitic population mushrooming in the Nile delta. This Semitic group experiences slavery and hardship, then departs suddenly and reappears later in Canaan as a populous nation called “Israel” which proceeds with a military conquest of Canaan. This sequence fits the Biblical record very well.

The series of six major events connected to the Exodus with supporting archaeological evidence forms a significant pattern. It’s much more compelling than if the evidence were only of a single event. This intricate pattern could not be coincidence. It has to be the historical imprint of Israel’s history in Egypt, the Exodus, and the Conquest of Canaan.

Near the end of the film, Mahoney summarized his case for revising Egyptian chronology:

“It’s startling to think how significant this could be because chronology, the dates assigned to these events, is the thing being used to convince the world that the Bible is just a fairy tale. But look at the pattern! Evidence matching Joseph and the early Israelites’ arrival in Egypt, their tremendous multiplication, their descent into slavery, the judgment and collapse of Egypt, the deliverance and Exodus of the Semitic population, and, finally, in Canaan, evidence matching the conquest of the Promised Land. I know there’s a lot of disagreement over the dating but what strikes me is that if you put all the dates to the side for a moment what emerges from the archaeology is this pattern that matches the Bible every step of the way and doesn’t that deserve to be taken seriously? But for now, those who hold to established conventions will not allow these connections to be made.”

Patterns of Evidence: Exodus makes a compelling case for the Exodus occurring about 1450 BC in contrast to the late date of 1250 BC that most archaeologists accept. The film will make the historicity of the Exodus a topic of interest among lay people. It will be an encouragement to many Christians as it presents evidence supporting the Biblical timeline.

Encore Showing Thursday Jan 29

The overwhelming attendance nationwide for Patterns of Evidence: Exodus on Jan 19 and the subsequent demand for another showing has led to an encore showing to be scheduled and confirmed for Thu Jan 29 at 7 pm local time.

Tickets seem to cost around $12.50 depending on the theater. Many theaters nationwide sold out on Jan 19. I bought our tickets early to make sure we got in, and I suggest people consider doing so. As word spreads from the first showing, the attendance may increase for Jan 29.

I strongly encourage viewing this documentary. While it probably will not convince any skeptics, it will be a big encouragement to many Christians. The book, movie DVD, and soundtrack are all available for pre-order at the documentary web site: Patterns of Evidence: Exodus. Many churches will likely show the DVD eventually.

Questions to Ponder

If you saw the film, what was your reaction?

Do you think it’s possible for the vast majority of professional archaeologists and Egyptologists to be wrong about the Exodus?

Share your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or help another reader.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
(Hebrews 11:23-29)

Responses

Reblogged this on Narrow is The Way Ministries and commented:
Proof where “experts” have insisted there was no proof. What that amounted to was “experts” closing their eyes and dismissing all the proofs before them!

Thanks for reading, commenting, and reblogging.
Most experts dismiss the evidence because it does not occur in the time period that the experts believe it should occur. In the film one expert said he was unwilling to consider revising the conventionally accepted chronology.

Hard to change a mind that’s made up… and they say Christians are narrow minded! They want to keep putting the Exodus during the reign of Ramses the great, which is centuries late.
They should be setting it in the time of Tutmose III & Hapshetsut… which would explain the name Moshe, which is similar to Moses!

Thanks for your great reviews and commentaries on this epic documentary. I was delighted when I found this in depth examination, clips, quotes, and all, right here – it’s been a great resource for me!

I agree that the film was excellent in every way. I actually attended both the premier and encore presentations in order to get the most out of it. It offered far too much than I could absorb in one sitting. Looking forward to owning the DVD when it comes available.

I thought to order the book but at present a digest form is all my schedule allows, so your highlights are perfect! And the DVD will be much easier to share with our small group and others than the book.

I saw the film (several times on Netflicks) and thought, “Finally, someone got it right!” Thank you!! God will use this and you mightily. Thank you for putting even your doubts and concerns across to us. I found it interesting listening to experts give reasons for why they believe what they believe – some from proof, some don’t want to change things because it will create a ripple affect in other areas that can’t be explained or opinion would have to change, some just agree with other people’s opinions. I’m thankful for those who were brave enough to step outside accepted opinions and thoughts to see what could/would/should be looked at instead.

When I think of experts and their opinions on whatever subject they are experts on, I often think experts (and not all) tend to look at the evidence that explain/supports their own theories and beliefs. I also read somewhere that people will choose ignorance over truth. There is a verse in the Bible that says if we don’t proclaim the truth that even the rocks and stones will shout it out. If there was a mountain of evidence, some people would still not believe and know it to be truth. It is and will be forever a matter of choice whether they choose to believe truth or not. I tend to put it all in the same category as those who believe the “theory” of evolution.

I believe in the Biblical record of creation, the family, the sabbath, the flood, babel, Joseph and his family that takes us all the way forward to Jesus’ life on earth. I love the Bible and the wonderful history of God’s love. I just know it is true.

Hello, I watched this documentary on Netflix and I couldn’t stop watching it. The evidence seemed to be shouting at the “scholars.” I feel that they did not want to believe no matter what. Wonderfully put together. I am convinced that the Exodus happened much earlier then the scholars are saying. If it wasn’t the Bible and the fact that it actually proves the Bible correct they would be jumping all over the facts.